"THE" CATERERS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 17

"THE" CATERERS.

MESSRS P. BURKE AND CO. SPLENDID RECORD OF SERVICE. FORTY-FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE PUBLIC. Few, if any, catering firms in New Zealand, it can be stated with absolute confidence, possess such a remarkable record of success as P. Burke and Co., Christehurch. The fact that during Ihe past forty-rive years there has not been a. function of any magnitude in the city or district for which the firm has not been entrusted with the catering, speaks volumes for the reputation it has Iniill up, and the satisfaction dial has been given I<> those who organised, as ell as I" tii<'.-i" who took pari in these gatlieriii".-. In an inlcniew with a n:|"e.i-ntali\ e of Tiik Prks*. some highly intcrc.-liii-i details of Ihe operation ni' i'. r.u.i;<and Co. were given by Messrs .1. Bryan and A. Kattray. who. during I Inpast leu years, have I n the lirmV managers.

Well and Solidly Founded. The founder of the linn, the kite Mr Patrick Rurke, is remembered by very many in Christehurch, not only for the geniality of his disposition, but, also, for his high organising ability and his keen business ipialities. That the firm has readied the position it holds today of one of the leading catering firms of the Dominion is due, in n very large measure, to the sound lines on- which Mr Burke founded it, and carried it on. Some time before his regretted death, Mr Burke told Mr Bryan that ho attributed his success to the fact that he always provided the best that was procurable, saw that it was prepared properly, and was solved .in the best, possible manner. The very competent staff that >fr Burke organised always could be relied upon for their civility and alacrity.

"Since we took over Ihc management tot yours ago." Mr Bryan said, "wc have endeavoured to maintain, and where possible, improve the high standard set by Mr Burke, and from the expressions of satisfaction and appreciation wc have heard front those for whom wc have carried out catering arrangements, wc believe that we have been NOT altogether unsuccessful. An indication that the firm tinder our management has maintained its past re« put.ition is given b\ the fact that in addition to the many fixed contracts which have been carried out almost from the inception of the firm, a number of other bodies have entrusted us with the catering arrangements for their gatherings. Equally gratifying have been the number of invitations wc have received to extend our operations ,to other parts of the Dominion. Thcso invitations, we think, indicate that visitors to Canterbury, who have attended fixtures for which wo havo catered, havo been so satisfied, that on their return to tho centres in which they reside, they have mado known their appreciation of the excellent manner in which the firm of P. Burke and Co. fulfilled their duties in catering for great masses of people, as well as for social functions of all kinds."

Catering for Eoyalty. One of the most important occasions of recent years with which Messrs P. Burke and Co. have* been connected waß the ball tendered by tho citizens of Christchurch to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, when ho visited Christchurch from May 13th to 17th, 1920. The magnitude of that function, for which tho King Edward Barracks was specially prepared, is still fresh in tho memory of many people. P. Burke and Co., for that gathering, were called upon to provide for 2000 people, no fewer than 900 people being attended to at one sitting. The ball was a notable success, to which the efficient catering largely contributed. It is gratifying to be able to announce that P. Burke and Co. have been asked to arrango the catering for the different functions to be held : in connexion with the approaching visit of the Duke and Duchess of York.

A Numerous Clientele. A full list of the racing clubs, agricultural shows, and other bodies for which P. Burko and Co. regularly carry out the catering arrangements would be somewhat lengthy. It includes the Canterbury Jockey- Club, the Metropolitan Trotting Club, the Wellington Racing Club, the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Metropolitan Show and other fixtures, Canterbury Park Trotting Club, New Brighton Trotting Club, Ashburton Trotting Club, Ashburton Racing Club, North Canterbury Racing Club, Amberley . Racing Club, Cheviot Trotting Club, the EUesmere A. and P. Association's Leeston Show, the Courtenay A. and P. Association, the Banks' Peninsula A. and P. Association's Little River Show, the Ashburton A. and P. Association, and the Canterbury Saleyards Co.—the Addington weekly stock market. It will be seen that the firm, in catering for these functions, are called upon to meet the wants of "all sorts and conditions of men" and women, and it is a remarkable testimonial that the firm have met all requirements from year to year, and have recoived complimentary and appreciative acknowledgments of the satisfaction given from the committees of the various bodies concerned.

A New Departure. Recently the firm have acquired the proprietorship of that popular and wellappointed palace of ploasure, the Winter Gardens, and the sole management has been entrusted to Mrs E. Saxby, a lady who is well and favourably known in almost every part of Canterbury for her organising ability in connexion with social functions of all kindswedding parties, receptions, dinners, luncheons, balls, and jaw parties. Mrs Saxby possesses a charming personality, and hosts and hostesses intending to entertain their friends at the Winter Gardens will find Mrs Saxby's assistance very valuable, and can rely upon full effect being given to their instructions. For gatherings of the character referred to, there is no more suitable building in Christchurch, and admirably appointed as it is, the firm are contemplating, and intend putting in hand, several important improvements. Staff and Equipment. The staff of Messrs P. Burke and Co., permanent and casual, is numerically very large; during Carnival Week, in November, it exceeds 500. Not only is the staff numerically strong, but it is exceedingly well trained. For the better control of the staff its members are grouped into departments. Mr Rex Bryan is 'n charge of the bars and the wines and spirits; Mr E. Rattray controls all stores and the transportation of the same to the places where functions are held; and Mr T. Mctcalf is head of the firm's bakehouse. As to the equipment carried by the firm, it is most comprehensive. This is necessary, for it is not unusual for the firm to have four or five different catering engagements on hand on the same day. The table' linen kept by the firm, would, if spread out, -cover an area equal to Latimer square; and the cups, saucers, glance, bowls, vasts, and so

fortii. exceed the stocks kept "by some wholesale firms. , For functions of ;i special nature—,) branch under tlie control of Mrs Saxby —there is a highly-trained staff, and some of the firm's irest expensive table linen, plate, cutlery, and china is kept specially for such functions. The Bakehouse. An important feature of the firm's activities is their own special bakehouse, which is one of the largest and mo*! up-to-date of its kind in the Dominion. The number of pastry cooks, finishers, and decorators employed is about twenty, and all are experts in their particular branches. Wedding cakes arc a specialty with the firm, and one man is kept specially employed for (he decorating and tube work. From these particulars it will be apparent that, in all that pertains to catering, Messrs ?. Burke and Co. are in a pusition to meet the requirements in connexion with any class of function, big or little. information regarding the Winter Gardens can be obtained'by ringing Telephone .IS2O. —1